8.2. SR 04-02-2018 Eclty1� ,.,�� Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 8.2
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
General Business Aril 2, 2018 essica Miller, Deputy City Clerk
Item Description Reviewed by
Resolution Supporting Local Decision-making Cal Portner, City Administrator
Authority Reviewed by
Action Requested
Adopt,by motion, a resolution supporting local decision-making authority.
Background/Discussion
A significant number of bills in the House and Senate during the 2017 and 2018 legislative sessions have
threatened to interfere with local decision-making authority in several policy areas. Some examples
include:
■ Constraining local law enforcement authority.
■ Restricting a city's ability to set local ordinances.
■ Allowing certain businesses unfettered access to public rights of way while eliminating a
city's ability to manage them.
■ Restricting a city's ability to use allowed fee structures.
The League of Minnesota Cities encourages cities to adopt resolutions supporting local decision-making
and opposing legislation that removes the ability for local elected officials to respond to the needs of their
businesses and constituents. Over 93 cities of all sizes from around the state have adopted resolutions so
far.
Financial Impact
N/A
Attachments
■ Resolution
The Elk River Vision
A PehoMing community 2a itb revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional POWERED By
service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity INAWRE1
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City of
Elk City of Elk River
" City Council
River
Resolution 18-
A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Elk River Supporting Local
Decision-Making Authority
WHEREAS, local elected decision-makers are in the best position to determine what health,
safety and welfare regulations best serve their constituents; and
WHEREAS, just like state legislative leaders,local elected officials are held accountable
through Minnesota's robust elections process; and
WHEREAS, ordinances at the local level are enacted only after a comprehensive,legal and
open process; and
WHEREAS, local units of government are required to publish notices about meetings where
policies will be discussed and decisions will be made; and
WHEREAS, under the state's Open Meeting Law,public policy discussions and decisions
must occur in meetings that are accessible to members of the public; and
WHEREAS, cities are often laboratories for determining public policy approaches to the
challenges that face residents and businesses; and
WHEREAS,preservation of local control in Minnesota has yielded statewide benefits such as
the 2007 Freedom to Breathe Act, an amendment to the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act; and
WHEREAS, more than two dozen bills that restrict local decision-making have been
introduced in 2017 and 2018 to date.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Elk River,
Minnesota, as follows: This Council supports local decision-making authority and opposes
legislation that removes the ability for local elected officials to respond to the needs of their
businesses and constituents.
Passed and adopted this 2nd day of April 2018.
John J. Dietz,Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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